Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw will have history against him as he tries to record consecutive no-hitters

When Clayton Kershaw takes the mound on Tuesday, he'll try to do something accomplished just once in major league history: back-to-back no-hitters.

Johnny Vander Meer threw consecutive no-hitters in 1938, a feat that is revisited with every no-hitter. Vander Meer, a Cincinnati Reds left-hander, threw his second no-hitter against the Dodgers, in what was the first night game at Brooklyn's Ebbets Field.

The game was delayed because of an overflow crowd, forcing Vander Meer to warm up three times, according to this ESPN account. Babe Ruth was an honored guest, and the pregame activities included a match race in which Jesse Owens ran against two outfielders, one from the Reds and one from the Dodgers.

Kershaw, who no-hit the Colorado Rockies last Wednesday, will face a Kansas City Royals lineup largely unfamiliar with him. No Royals player has more than nine at-bats against him, with a team total of 34 at-bats. The Royals are batting .206 against him, with seven hits -- all singles -- and 10 strikeouts in 34 at-bats.